Terminal generated mobile random draw games

ABSTRACT

Mobile communications device that uses a camera in a web-enabled PDA, cellular phone or smart phone to capture a barcode image off a lottery ticket, convert it to its unique serial number, pass it via cellular data service through a database query to append or change a game database and initiate a unique computer game sessions on the mobile device that the consumer can play with fixed or variable outcomes to determine the future value of the printed ticket. A method is disclosed of generating a mobile lottery game for play on a mobile device by which a consumer can reach fixed or variable outcomes to determine the future value of a game ticket.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/576,126, filed Oct. 8, 2009, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to terminal generated lottery games presented through mobile computer devices in which the games have a fixed probability of outcome. More particularly described, the present invention relates to terminal generated lottery games played by the game player through on a mobile computer device through the game result based on a fixed outcome.

BACKGROUND

Terminal generated lottery tickets such as MEGA MILLIONS, POWERBALL AND PICK 3 games are typically printed with limited graphics capabilities from network terminals of the lottery system. The lottery system records the ticket into a game database that houses data information fields about the printed lottery ticket including game, purchase date, drawing date and selected numbers. The consumer then holds that ticket until a scheduled drawing is held which will determine the win/loss result of that ticket. Our prior development marketed as MOBILECAT mobile computer device application allows lottery ticket results to be returned by a camera-equipped mobile device/phone for ticket status confirmation.

Terminal generated lottery tickets are often printed on thermal or dot matrix printers with limited graphic capabilities. Nevertheless, such printers may print machine-readable barcode formats that contain unique identifiers or codes for a specific ticket. Those codes can be read by suitable imaging devices including conventional imaging-capable or camera equipped mobile communication devices. In accordance with the present invention, the mobile computer device provides an interactive platform to generate a game application that allows the player to make certain choices that determine the outcome of the game.

Lottery players and garners want to have more interactivity and control over their game. Players or gamblers that play card games or other casino games typically dismiss lottery games as they believe such games do not provide players with an opportunity to control the outcome. In accordance with the present invention, the player my make a series of choices in the play of the game, which choices may change the outcome of the game and thus change the result of the game ticket.

In 2002/2003, the Illinois Lottery launched an add on ‘instant win’ game to their terminal generated PICK 3 and PICK 4 games called EXTRA game. The concept allowed PICK 3 and PICK 4 players to pay an additional or extra dollar and the game then provided a random series of numbers printed on the game ticket below the selected PICK 3 and PICK 4 drawing numbers. If the random numbers underneath their chosen numbers matched in a row, the player may ‘instantly’ win a prize. Also, the player still had a chance to win when the PICK 3 and PICK 4 drawing was held.

There are drawbacks to the EXTRA game. Issues may occur when retail clerks view the ticket to see if it is a winner before handing the ticket to the customer. A dishonest clerk may easily notice a winning ticket, slide it under the register and print out another ticket for the customer.

In addition to this problem, the game only offered an ‘instant’ satisfaction, but did not create any additional play value. The present invention may provide additional play value in which the terminal may hide game data within a barcode on the ticket and the player himself may independently scan that ticket, the result would not be revealed before the purchasing and delivery transaction with the game sales clerk was complete.

In addition, game applications in which a player or customer may independently scan the ticket offer enhanced game play experiences. In 2002/2003, independent scanning was difficult as game terminal access is restricted and scanning technology involved remote and separate devices such as using a home PC and a peripheral scanning device. With MOBILECATS technology, scanning of game tickets and ticket status evaluation may be accomplished with conventional mobile devices having built-in imaging devices or cameras.

While instant scratch lottery tickets have predetermined outcomes, terminal generated lottery tickets have a time-delayed outcome. When a scratch ticket is purchased, before the ticket is scratched to reveal the outcome, the ticket is already a predetermined win/loss with a specific value. The terminal generated ticket has a purchase value, until the time of an undetermined drawing that can change its value to $0 or a range of winning prize amounts.

Another drawback of current terminal generated game tickets is inflexibility in changing the dynamic of the ‘drawing element’ and consequently the inability to change the mechanics of the particular game. A player-purchased terminal generated ticket has limitations on player play out of the game without more control over the outcome.

Random draw games to date have limited opportunity to utilize technology beyond printed game tickets and trends that make play and wins possible, without breaching the rules and laws that govern lottery business in most jurisdictions.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art by which bar coded terminal generated game tickets can interact or launch a variety of interactive computer games that determine the outcome of the game. The prize structure of the game can still be pari-mutuel, creating rolling jackpot amounts and lower tier prizes based on aggregate ticket purchases, and the database manages the distribution at the point of activating the game. It is to such that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the need in the art by providing an interactive random draw game, comprising a random draw game database having a plurality of prizes and a plurality of ticket codes each associated with one random draw game ticket. A game provider configured to receive from a game player an identifier corresponding to one of the ticket codes, to select randomly a ticket status indicative of whether the random draw game ticket associated with the identifier is to receive one of the prizes or be designated as a non-winning random draw game ticket, and to return the ticket status to the game player. An interactive game operated on a mobile communications device requiring at least one play selection by the player before the game displays the ticket status.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for an interactive random draw game, comprising (a) providing a random draw game database having a plurality of prizes and a plurality of ticket codes each associated with one random draw game ticket; (b) communicating from a mobile communication device an identifier corresponding to one of the ticket codes to a game provider configured to select randomly a ticket status indicative of whether the random draw game ticket associated with the identifier is to receive one of the prizes or be designated as a non-winning random draw game ticket, and communicating the ticket status to the mobile communication device; and (c) performing an interactive game operated on the mobile communications device requiring at least one play selection

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a mobile computer device capturing an image of a bar code identifier printed on a random draw game ticket.

FIG. 1B illustrates the mobile computer device displaying on a display screen the captured image of the bar code identifier.

FIG. 1C illustrates the mobile computer device displaying a numeric data representative of the bar code identifier.

FIG. 2 illustrates activation of an interactive game on the mobile computer device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the random generation of an outcome for the interactive game based on the random draw ticket.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile computer device executing the interactive game application at an initial stage preparing to scan or capture an image of a bar code identifier printed on a random draw game ticket.

FIG. 5 illustrates the mobile computer device imaging the bar code identifier on the random draw game ticket.

FIG. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device displaying a selected game for interactive play by the player to reach a result based on the random draw ticket.

FIGS. 7A-7F illustrate play of an interactive game based on the random draw game using the mobile computer device.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a terminal generated mobile random draw game apparatus and method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings in which like parts have like identifiers, FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of the present invention that provides a terminal generated random draw game provided by a lottery game provider 80 having a plurality of game tickets 12 playable on a mobile device 10 configured with a mobile device application 82. The lottery game provider 80 has a plurality of retail vendors for distribution and sales of random draw game tickets 12 printed on printers 84 of game terminals 86 operated by the vendors. The mobile device 10 captures 16 a barcode image 18 printed on the lottery ticket 12 using the built-in camera 15 on the mobile device (smart phone/cell phone/PDA) and converts that barcode into a recognizable number. Using the mobile device data connection, the mobile device 10 submits the number, for example in a SQL string, to a ticket game system database 38. The ticket game system generates an expected value for the game ticket and the mobile communications device 10 presents an interactive computer game 64 for play by the user. The game 64 gives the player a series of choices to make or a specific result to reach, which choices or result to reach an outcome of the game. The outcome is secured by the ticket game system and returned back to the game database, or stored at the point of request, locking in the value of that purchased ticket. A winning ticket may be validated and redeemed conventionally with the provider 80. In an alternate embodiment, a winning ticket may be redeemed upon communication 88 from the mobile device 10 with a third party prize provider 75, as discussed below.

The present invention provides an interactive game for play on a mobile computer device 10 such as a cellular telephone, personal data assistant device, computer, and like devices. The interactive game is based on a random draw game ticket 12. The ticket 12 is purchased by the user or player from a game system ticket vendor. As discussed below, the game ticket 12 is validated and the game provided with an outcome or result for play by the player.

FIG. 1A illustrates the mobile computer device 10 capturing an image of a bar code identifier 18 that is printed on the random draw game ticket 12 that also includes game play data (i.e., the selected numbers for play by the player in the random draw game.). The mobile computer device 10 includes a camera 15 that is used to image generally 16 the barcode 18 that is printed the random draw game ticket 12.

FIG. 1B illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying on a display screen 20 the captured image 22 of the bar code identifier 18. Once the image is captured, the software application resident on the mobile computer device 10 interprets the barcode 18 from the captured image and converts the barcode to a unique numeric code 24 of the random draw game ticket 12.

FIG. 1C illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying the numeric code 24 representative of the bar code 18.

Once the unique numeric code 24 is determined or identified, the numeric code can be used as a parameter communicated to the game provider. For example, the mobile computer device communicates the numeric code 24 in an SQL script that can be sent over the phone data connection to the game provider. The ticket code 24 appends and updates a database of purchased lottery tickets. The query or update pulls the game data from that ticket. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the update activates an interactive game 26 on the mobile computer device 10. FIG. 2 illustrates as an exemplary interactive game an image of baseball player to bat a baseball from a pitcher. The interactive game provides optional action buttons 28, 29, and 30 for swing, bunt, or take pitch actions by the batter controlled by the player of the random draw game. Based on the selection, the batter may reach base, may miss the ball, or wait for another pitch (i.e. another selection). The result of the action may lead to a prize (the ticket was drawn as a winner) or to an “out” or game over (the ticket was not drawn as a winner). Such interactive game is merely illustrative and exemplary but not limiting.

The consumer may play the interactive game to reach the outcome/value of the purchased ticket.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a lottery system controller generally 38 configured for the random generation of an outcome for the interactive game based on the random draw ticket: A random number generator 40 provides a series of different prize outcomes 46 reach based on the player's path/choice using the optional action buttons associated with the interactive game played on the mobile device 10. The series of prize outcomes are generated 41 from the available prize pool 42 tracked in the game ticket database 44. The randomly selected prizes 46 for the interactive game are sent 48 to the mobile device 10. The mobile device 10 displays the specific results based on the player's choice using the optional action buttons (28, 29, and 30 shown in the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 2). After the player makes his/her choice and the result displayed generally 50, the resulting outcome is sent 52 to the game ticket database 44. The result for the game ticket is recorded, and if a prize was awarded, the prize is removed from the available prize pool 42.

Gaming enthusiasts and gamblers infrequently play the lottery because they feel they don't have any control over the outcome of the game. Rules and regulations make it difficult for lottery organizations to change this aspect of their product offering. Lottery games are bound by guidelines that mandate random outcome and no-skill type game play.

In order to remedy this conflict, the present invention uses existing technology in the form of mobile phone cameras, data connectivity and operating systems that can handle the game engines.

When a terminal generated ticket (such as MEGA MILLIONS, LOTTO, PICK 3 games) is printed, the ticket value at that point in time is that of the purchase price. The value of that ticket changes at the dedicated time of a drawing. Once the outcome of the random drawing is held, the ticket can be worth $0 or a value in a range of prize amounts based on a table of matching play numbers to the drawing numbers.

Just like the future drawing, a ticket value outcome can be determined by another random action with a variable overlay. Since the lottery cannot payout more than it takes in, the prize outcome may be randomized by the game system database at the point of player game generation. This may include a number of different amounts in the game play. The variable outcome would then be based on the player's actions. In an alternate embodiment, a fixed outcome may also be set.

For example, the player would purchase a $1 terminal generated ticket 12 at the lottery retailer for a baseball game as depicted in FIG. 2 as an illustrative non-limiting embodiment. The lottery terminal would print the lottery ticket 12 (which may be a single color) with a barcode 18 printed on it. The barcode 18 contains a unique identifier of the ticket 12 and retain a value of the $1 purchase price. The player could hold that ticket for any amount of time and it will remain valued at $1.

When the player is ready to play out his/her ticket 12, the player uses the camera enabled mobile device 10 to activate the interactive game. The mobile device 10 operates computer instructions of an installed software application. The application first scans the barcode 18 on the printed ticket 12. Once the barcode is scanned, the mobile device 10 interprets the bar code and generates the unique identifier associated with the game ticket 12. The mobile device sends a call message to the lottery system controller 38 to activate the interactive game for play on the mobile device 10. In the illustrative embodiment, the interactive game is a baseball game as depicted in FIG. 2. The game play is then initiated. The controller 38 interrogates the game ticket database 44 and with the random generator 40 selects a random outcome from the fixed prize pool 42. This outcome could be a ‘win’ or a ‘non-win’. In a ‘win’ situation, the outcome may be one of two or more possible results as further determined by the player's choice in the mobile game play, or the result may be a fixed amount.

The computer game executes on the player's mobile device 10. The game prompts the player to make at least one game decision. With reference to the example in FIG. 2, the game causes the depicted pitcher to throw a pitch. The player has the choice of taking the pitch 30, bunting 29 or swinging away 28. The game continues and the display screen of the mobile device 10 shows the result of either hitting the ball, taking the pitch, which could be a strike or a ball, or running out a bunt. All of the mechanics of the game may be engineered to follow an outcome path based on the player's decision. The path may lead to a non-win or may lead to one or more possible different winning prizes. In an alternate embodiment, the win situation could be a single fixed prize amount.

The game play may be as detailed as desired for the particular interactive game, but the path preferably is simple for the lottery game database to log the variable outcome.

Once the game play is complete, the outcome is stored in the player's mobile device 10. The mobile device could also regenerate the ticket barcode and store it in that game record. As shown in FIG. 3, the player's result 50 communicates 52 to the ticket game database 44 which is updated to reflect the result of the interactive game and thus the result of the random draw game played by the player on the mobile device 10.

If the outcome of the random draw ticket 10 (either directly as a result determined when the random drawing is made or as a result of player option actions discussed above) is a cash prize, the player may return that printed ticket to the lottery retailer to claim his/her prize. In an alternate embodiment, the player presents the mobile device 10 to the retailer. Upon opening the barcode on the screen of the mobile device, the retailer may scan the displayed barcode with a barcode scanner. The scanned barcode is then validated conventionally through the lottery terminal with communication to the game controller 38 and checking the ticket status as maintained in the ticket game database 44.

Just like a drawing game, the value of the ticket is initially set at the purchase price until a future event (a random draw game event) occurs to change the ticket value. Then the ticket reserved in the database is valued at the win/loss value for validation and claims.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7A-7F depict an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 executing the interactive game application at an initial stage preparing to scan or capture an image of a bar code identifier printed on a random draw game ticket. The display 20 presents a scan instruction 60 together with information generally 62 explaining to the player to hold the mobile device 10 several inches from the game ticket and center the bar code 18 within the view window. FIG. 5 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 imaging the bar code identifier 18 on the random draw game ticket 12. FIG. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying a selected game 64 for interactive play by the player to reach a result based on the random draw ticket. In the illustrated embodiment, the interactive game is a rock climb game. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7F, the rock climb game provides three columns and four rows of grids 66 as a rock climbing wall 68. The player selects one of the grids to which a climber 70 attempts to reach. If the reach is successful, the player continues play and selects the next grid. If the reach is unsuccessful (because the game ticket 12 is a non-winner), the climber is depicted as losing his grip and falls off of the wall and the display. The interactive game is over. If the game ticket 12 is drawn as a winning ticket, play continues until a result is achieved and the amount of the winning is displayed.

Operation of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7A-7F is discussed below. The player purchases the random draw game ticket 12 from a retail vendor of a lottery provider. The player upon receiving the game ticket 12, or at a later selected time, executes an interactive game application resident on the mobile device 10. With reference to FIG. 4, the player first scans an image of the bar code identifier 18 printed on the game ticket 12, using the imaging component or camera of the mobile device, according to the instructions 62 shown on the display 24. The scan button 60 is pressed to initiate the imaging, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The imaged identifier 18 is analyzed and a numeric representation of the identifier 18 is generated. The mobile device 10 communicates the numeric representation to the lottery system controller 38 for updating the game ticket database 44. The controller 38 checks the status of the ticket 12, and if the ticket has a win status, the prize is associated with the ticket. This may be done at the drawing date of the game, or alternatively, the random generator 40 evaluates the prize pool 42 and randomly generates at least one result for the ticket. The win status or result communicates 48 to the mobile device 10. The mobile device 10 then executes the interactive game 64 for play by the player to find out the result or win status of the game ticket 12. FIG. 6 illustrates an interactive rock climb game. The display 24 is touched to start the game 64. FIG. 7A shows the climber 70 on a lower portion of the rock wall 68 with grids 66 above. The player selects one of the grids 66 lateral or above the climber's position. FIG. 7B illustrates the climber 70 moving laterally in response to the player selecting grid 66 a. If the move is successful, play continues. If the move is unsuccessful (i.e., the game ticket 12 is a non-winning ticket), the game ends. This is symbolized by the climber 70 falling from the rock wall 68, as shown in FIG. 7C followed by a ending image sating the game is over as depicted in FIG. 7D. FIG. 7E illustrates continued play in which the player continues to make lateral and upward grid selections to near the upper edge of the wall indicated by flags 72 a, 72 b, and 72 c.

In an embodiment having a single fixed outcome, the winning prize is associated with one of the three flags 72. The player makes a final selection of one of the three flags 72. If the chosen flag is the winner, a winner message and amount won is displayed. The mobile device communicates the win status to the controller 38 for updating the ticket game database 44 and the available game prize pool 42. The data record for the particular game ticket 12 based on the numeric representation of the bar code identifier 18 is updated to reflect the winning status and amount for the ticket 12. The player may then present the game ticket 12 to a lottery retailer for validation and redemption of the prize. In the event the chosen flag 72 is a non-winner, a message indicating that the ticket is a non-winner is displayed as shown in FIG. 7D reflecting a “game over” message. The mobile device communicates the non-winning status to the controller 38 for updating the ticket game database 44 and the available game prize pool 42.

Some random draw games provide prizes other than a monetary payout. For example, commercial businesses may offer a random draw contest providing food, discounts, or electronic downloads of music. These contests provide printed tickets often with scratch-off results fields. A winning field displays a code that must be entered and validated at a web-accessible site, before proceeding to a music site to download a prize. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8, the present invention enables a player to access 88 a third party site 75 immediately after the winning result is displayed during play of the interactive game. This is accomplished in the event of a winning result by the application that executes the game of the commercial provider further executing instructions to access 88 the third party prize-providing music site 75 through the network communications system of the mobile device 10.

The application executing on the mobile device 10 further evaluates the communications between the mobile device 10 and the lottery system controller 38 and with the commercial transaction and payment service. If the application determines conflicts in communicating with the hardware, communicating with the database or an inability to produce a valid result; an appropriate error or warning message is displayed on the display screen of the mobile device 10 and an entry is made in the log for evaluation by the lottery game provider.

The present invention accordingly relates to:

-   -   apparatus and method by which a lottery ticket can be generated         by an existing lottery terminal with a future value determined         by a random selection initiated by a mobile communications         device and additionally by variable actions of the user of the         mobile device;     -   apparatus and method by which a mobile computer device with a         built in camera can recognize the ticket barcode, convert the         bar code to the unique identifier and communicate with the         lottery database to append/change the record value of the         ticket;     -   apparatus and method as describe above which further stores the         present and future value of the purchased game ticket;     -   apparatus and method by which the scanned game ticket activates         a specific computer game in the mobile device;     -   apparatus and method by which the prize results are randomly         generated to populate the possible outcomes of an interactive         game played on the mobile communications device;     -   apparatus and method by which the activated computer game sets         the variable choices that the player can make to direct the path         to the randomized prize outcomes;     -   apparatus and method of managing the communication between the         device and the lottery information database server to log the         actions of the player;     -   apparatus and method by which the appended variable outcome data         is encrypted and sent to the lottery database;     -   apparatus and method by which the database sets and stores the         outcome of the game play to set the new value of the ticket;     -   apparatus and method of managing the prize pool to generate         possible game outcomes that do not exceed a payout threshold set         by the lottery game provider;     -   apparatus and method of throwing or reporting errors if the         software application determines conflicts in communicating with         the hardware, communicating with the database or an inability to         produce a valid result;     -   apparatus and method of generating a duplicate ticket barcode in         the mobile device that can be used as an alternate or backup         vehicle to validate/claim the prize at the lottery retailer; and     -   apparatus and method of using the mobile device to validate and         claim winnings electronically.

The foregoing specification describes the present invention that provides an interactive game configured for a player to make selective optional actions during play of the game to reach a predetermined result or a result selected from two or more possible results in a random draw game thereby providing a player with active participation opportunities in determining whether a ticket in a random draw game is a winning ticket. It is to be understood, however, that numerous changes and variations may be made in the construction of the converter within the spirit and scope of the present invention and that modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. An interactive random draw game, comprising: a random draw game database having a plurality of prizes and a plurality of ticket codes each associated with one random draw game ticket; a game provider configured to receive from a game player an identifier corresponding to one of the ticket codes, to select randomly a ticket status indicative of whether the random draw game ticket associated with the identifier is to receive one of the prizes or be designated as a non-winning random draw game ticket, and to return the ticket status to the game player; an interactive game operated on a mobile communications device requiring at least one play selection by the player before the game displays the ticket status.
 2. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 1, wherein the player obtains the random draw game ticket from a terminal operated by the game provider.
 3. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 2, wherein a future value of the random draw game ticket is determined by the player initiating communication with the game provider using the mobile communications device.
 4. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 3, wherein the ticket status is based on the random draw game ticket selected to receive one of the prizes and the prize is selected from at least two different prizes as an outcome result; and the future value of the random draw game ticket is determined by the player making at least one variable action before the game displays a final ticket status associated with one of the outcome results; and further comprising the game provider configured to receive a communication as to the final ticket status and to update the random draw game database as to which prize was selected by the variable action of the player.
 5. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 4, wherein the game provider maintains an outcome record value of the random draw game ticket based on the final ticket status communicated by the mobile communications device to the game provider.
 6. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 3, wherein the ticket status is selectively one of the prizes and a non-wining result, and the future value of the random draw game ticket is determined by the player making at least one variable action before the game displays a final ticket status associated with one of the ticket status; and further comprising the game provider configured to receive a communication as to the final ticket status and to update the random draw game database as to whether a prize was selected for the random draw game ticket by the variable action of the player.
 7. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 6, wherein the mobile communications device further comprises: an imaging device to image a unique code printed on random draw game ticket; and an analyzer configured to interpret the unique code and to generate a numerical representation thereof, the numerical representation communicated as the identifier of the random draw game ticket.
 8. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 7, wherein the identifier and the ticket status communicate between the mobile communications device and the game provider using a telecommunications network.
 9. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 8, wherein the game provider maintains at least an outcome record value of the random draw game ticket based on the final ticket status communicated by the mobile communications device to the game provider.
 10. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 9, wherein the game provider maintains an initial record value of the random draw game ticket.
 11. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 1, wherein the mobile communications device is configured to commence an interactive game playable by a player using the mobile communications device.
 12. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 11, wherein upon imaging of the random draw game ticket the interactive game commences.
 13. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 11, wherein the game includes variable choices that a player may make to direct the game to one of the outcome results.
 14. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 1, wherein the game provider is configured for managing the prize pool to generate possible game outcomes that do not exceed a predetermined payout threshold set by the game provider.
 15. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for accessing a prize that is downloaded from a web site to the mobile device upon determining the ticket status is a winning ticket.
 16. A method for an interactive random draw game, comprising: (a) providing a random draw game database having a plurality of prizes and a plurality of ticket codes each associated with one random draw game ticket; (b) communicating from a mobile communication device an identifier corresponding to one of the ticket codes to a game provider configured to select randomly a ticket status indicative of whether the random draw game ticket associated with the identifier is to receive one of the prizes or be designated as a non-winning random draw game ticket, and communicating the ticket status to the mobile communication device; and (c) performing an interactive game operated on the mobile communications device requiring at least one play selection by the player before the game displays the ticket status on the mobile communications device.
 17. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 16, further comprising obtaining the random draw game ticket from a terminal operated by the game provider.
 18. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 17, further comprising determining a future value of the random draw game ticket by the player initiating communication with the game provider using the mobile communications device.
 19. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 18, wherein determining the ticket status is based on the random draw game ticket selected to receive one of the prizes and the prize is selected from at least two different prizes as an outcome result; and determining the future value of the random draw game ticket by the player making at least one variable action before the game displays a final ticket status associated with one of the outcome results; and further comprising communicating the final ticket status to the game provider to update the random draw game database as to which prize was selected by the variable action of the player.
 20. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 19, further comprising maintaining an outcome record value of the random draw game ticket based on the final ticket status communicated by the mobile communications device to the game provider.
 21. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 18, wherein the ticket status is selectively determined from one of the prizes and a non-wining result, and further comprising determining the future value of the random draw game ticket from the ticket status by the player making at least one variable action before the game displays a final ticket status associated with one of the ticket status; and further comprising communicating the final ticket status to the game provider to update the random draw game database as to whether a prize was selected for the random draw game ticket by the variable action of the player.
 22. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 21, further comprising: imaging a unique code printed on random draw game ticket; and interpreting the unique code and generating a numerical representation thereof, which numerical representation communicates as the identifier of the random draw game ticket.
 23. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 22, wherein the mobile communications device and the game provider communicate using a telecommunications network.
 24. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 23, further comprising maintaining at least an outcome record value of the random draw game ticket based on the final ticket status communicated by the mobile communications device to the game provider.
 25. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 24, further comprising maintaining an initial record value of the random draw game ticket.
 26. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 16, further comprising commencing an interactive game playable on the mobile communications device by a player using the mobile communications device.
 27. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 26, wherein the interactive game commences upon imaging of the random draw game ticket.
 28. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in claim 26, further comprising providing at least one variable choice that a player may make to direct the interactive game to one of the outcome results.
 29. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 16, further comprising managing the managing the prize pool to generate possible game outcomes that do not exceed a predetermined payout threshold set by the game provider.
 30. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of downloading a prize from a web site to the mobile device upon determining the ticket status is a winning ticket. 